INDIANOLA — Two months after retiring, Cameron “Cam” Mandeville is hunting, fishing and chasing varmints around an Idaho ranch.

“They have a bunch of ground varmints that cause problems for the cattle in the field,” said the freshly retired law enforcement veteran. “So we come over and just kind of do some target practice.”

Mandeville spent 28 of his 37 years in law enforcement with the Kitsap County Sheriff's Department, working his way up to lieutenant. When Mandeville retired, Kitsap County Sheriff Steve Boyer called him the “heart” of the office.

“I feel honored to be referred to as the 'heart' of the agency,” Mandeville said. “Although, it turned into a joke because, when I went back (for a visit), a deputy asked what happens to the rest of them if their heart is gone.”

Undersheriff Dennis Bonneville says Mandeville’s duties have been split up until the department finds a replacement.

“Taking off the badge and putting it away is kind of tough,” said Mandeville, 59, of Indianola. “You go from being part of the solution to just a citizen. And that’s a tough transition.”

It's a transition that is often difficult for retired law enforcement officers.

“You can really fall into a trap. Your day can just fly by because there’s nothing to do. I’ve realized my days were so regimented … and now I’m drifting a bit.”

Mandeville is developing plans for the future. He aims to finish his bachelor’s degree. Once he settles into retirement, he plans to do some work for the Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management.

“It’s kind of scary to be drifting and not have any big plans. That is probably the thing I’ve noticed most about retirement. I have so much time.”

Fortunately, his wife Lynn has plenty of plans for his time.

“I have a honey-do list as long as my arm,” he said with a chuckle.

Mandeville is looking forward to family time, including a trip to Mount Rushmore with his 90-year-old father and touring Civil War and Revolutionary War battlefields with old military friends.

“I was concerned about how I would be once I retired. And I’m still me.”

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